Good Faith

Can We Find Hope Without Pretending the World Is Fine?

Biblical scholar N. T. Wright joins Curtis Chang on the Good Faith podcast to explore Isaiah's message for weary Christians, everyday work, and hope beyond politics. Drawing on his book Into the Heart of Isaiah, Wright explains how God's promises to Israel find fulfillment in Jesus and shape the church's calling today. They discuss waiting on God, serving faithfully in secular workplaces, and why churches and businesses alike can become "Towers of Babel." Wright also challenges comparisons between Donald Trump and King Cyrus.

02:37 - N.T. Wright and the Old Testament?

06:03 - Reading Isaiah Through Three Lenses

08:51 - Waiting on the Lord in Isaiah 40:31

15:22 - Finding Faith in Delayed Answers

19:11 - Discovering Isaiah's Literary Unity

28:45 - Isaiah's Struggle and Perseverance

33:00 - What Does Isaiah Say About Secular Work?

43:26 - King Cyrus and Political Misappropriation

48:01 - Isaiah's Message of Comfort and Hope

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• N.T. Wright's Into the Heart of Isaiah: The Meaning and Message of Isaiah 40–55
• N.T. Wright's The Case for the Psalms: Why They Are Essential
• C. S. Lewis's Space Trilogy
• T. S. Eliot's The Four Quartets: A Poem
• "God's Time Is Best" performed by the Netherlands Bach Society

Scriptures:

• Isaiah 40–55 (ESV)
• Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
• Isaiah 49:4 (ESV)
• Isaiah 52:7–12 (ESV)
• Isaiah 52:13–53:12 (ESV)
• Isaiah 54 (ESV)
• Isaiah 44:28 - 45:7 (ESV)
• Luke 2:22–38 (ESV)
• John 1:1–18 (ESV)
• John 1 (ESV)
• Genesis 1 (ESV)
• Psalm 8 (ESV)
• Romans 12–13 (ESV)

More from N.T. Wright:

• N.T. Wright Online
• N.T. Wright's Speaking engagements
• N.T. Wright's books (Amazon)

Past Conversations with N.T. Wright:

• Good Faith ep. 207: N.T. Wright Explains Ephesians: The Church, Christian Nationalism, & the Armor of God
• Good Faith ep. 128: The Unseen Spiritual Powers Shaping Our World (with N.T. Wright)

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Why Does Politics Reward the Wrong People?

Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger joins Curtis Chang on the Good Faith podcast to discuss the 2026 midterm elections, political corruption, and how Christians can evaluate political leaders. Kinzinger argues that character is revealed when leaders put public responsibility ahead of personal comfort—even when it means challenging their own party. Drawing on his vote to impeach Donald Trump and his service on the January 6 committee, he explores what restoring congressional accountability requires. They also discuss why principled candidates struggle to stay in office and how Christians can oppose harmful actions while loving their enemies and praying for political opponents.

02:33 - What Is the Meaning of Heroism?

04:34 - Models of Courage for Congress

09:54 - Faith and the January 6 Impeachment Vote

14:08 - Adam's Midterm Elections Predictions

17:55 - The Other Side of the "God Gap"

22:51 - Avoiding Political Idolatry

25:18 - The Impacts of Redistricting on Congressional Careers

29:00 - Cross-Partisan Alliances and Democratic Principles

31:24 - Are There Candidates Who Understand the Stakes?

36:21 - How Does Political Corruption Work?

42:32 - Adam's Guide to Assessing Character and Examining Records

46:45 - Is There Hope for Congress?

52:37 - Praying for Political Enemies

Find more resource for this episode HERE

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Mentioned in this episode:

• Listen to Good Faith episode 255: David French: What Christians Should Want on Election Night
• Adam Kinzinger's That's What Heroes Do
• Adam Kinzinger's Substack Newsletter & Podcast
• Adam Kinzinger's 2024 Democratic National Convention Speech (transcript)
• Listen to Good Faith episode 163: "Adam Kinzinger Defends Democracy and Embraces Biblical Hope"
• Check out The After Party

Scriptures:

• Matthew 5:43–45 (ESV)
• Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
• Matthew 6:10 (ESV)
• 1 Corinthians 15:20–23 (ESV)
• Matthew 5–7 (ESV)

More From Adam Kinzinger:

• Adam Kinzinger's Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country
• Adam Kinzinger's Country First Movement

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Can We Speak About Jesus's Transforming Power Without Reducing It To a Consumer Product?

You can believe Christianity is true and still wonder what difference it makes. Theologian and former atheist Alister McGrath joins Curtis Chang to discuss Rethinking Christianity and why conversations about faith need to address meaning, purpose, and hope alongside rational belief. They explore the danger of reducing Christianity to self-help, the limits of intellectual answers to suffering, and how Jesus' suffering speaks to people in their darkest moments. Curtis also shares his experience of anxiety and depression as they consider how truth, lived experience, and Christian friendship can sustain faith.

02:34 - Why Won't Christianity Stay Buried?

04:43 - Dr. McGrath's Journey from Atheism to Christianity

07:11 - From Debating Atheism to Addressing Meaning

15:30 - Consumerism, Relevance, and Losing Christianity's Story

19:19 - How Can We Find Purpose and Flourish in Faith?

23:46 - The Limits of Apologetic Answers to Suffering

30:43 - Explaining the Trinity

33:09 - Preaching to the Choir and Finding Companions

Find this episode on our website: Good Faith episode 256

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• Dr. McGrath's Rethinking Christianity: A Thoughtful Guide to a Life-Changing Faith
• C.S. Lewis's The Problem of Pain
• Henri Blocker's Evil and the Cross
• More about C.S. Lewis's conversion
• More about Dorothy L. Sayers
• More about Alvin Plantinga
• Dr. McGrath Debates Richard Dawkins
• Dr. McGrath Debates Christopher Hitchens
• Dr. McGrath Debates Daniel Dennett

Scriptures:

• John 4:1–42 (ESV)
• John 10:10 (ESV)
• Psalm 23 (ESV)
• Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV)

More From Dr. McGrath:

• Professor Alister McGrath at the University of Oxford
• Alister McGrath's website
• Alister McGrath's books

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Will the Midterms Be a Tourniquet, a Cure, or Something Else Entirely?

Does who wins Congress matter? What happens to American democracy after the midterms may be up for grabs. Good Faith "founding friend" and New York Times columnist David French joins Curtis Chang to look beyond the 2026 midterm scoreboard and explore what the elections could mean for presidential power, political extremism, and the church's public witness. They discuss the limits of congressional checks on President Trump, the Texas Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton, and why restoring trust requires more than a partisan victory. David and Curtis also offer practical ways Christians can move to active participation—and a call to pray for justice, repentance, and reconciliation.

01:28 - David Forecasts the Midterms

06:45 - Can a Democratic Congress Check the President?

13:10 - The Republican Party's Future and Moderate Candidates

17:48 - Institutional Damage and Constitutional Checks

22:47 - Election Integrity and the Risk of Close Results

30:22 - The Need to Move from Spectatorship to Participation

35:50 - Speaking Up in Evangelical Churches

41:08 - Is Texas a Signal for Faith and Politics?

46:23 - Why Do Candidates Like Adam Kinzinger Struggle?

51:03 - David's Call to Prayer

Find this episode on our website: Good Faith episode 255

Sign up for The After Party course

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Good Faith ep. 252: David French: Can We Trust the Supreme Court?
• David French's The 'God Gap' Is Narrowing in Texas
• Virginia debate Ratifying Convention: Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1
• Congressal authority to judge its members' elections/qualifications: Article I, Section 5
• Learn more about The After Party course

Scriptures:

• Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV)
• 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV)

More From David French:

• David French's New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Escaping the Digital Age Where Noise Is Our Destiny

What if the noise filling your life is drowning out God's voice? John Mark Comer joins Curtis Chang to discuss his book Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise and how churches can offer refuge from digital overload, what the Desert Fathers and Mothers teach about faith and power, and why contemplative prayer sustains public engagement. John Mark and Curtis do a deep dive into the relationship between contemplative prayer, political engagement, and faithful public witness. Along the way, John Mark offers gentle, practical ways to begin making room for God—even if sitting still feels impossible.

02:27 - How do we talk about silence in a noisy age?

06:19 - "Quiet time" versus quiet presence

10:52 - Why does solitude matter for active people?

15:34 - Is solitude essential to discipleship?

23:11 - Noisy churches and quieter worship

30:01 - Silence, politics, and public witness

37:40 - The Desert Fathers, Constantine, the church & empire

43:45 - Solitude and confronting demonic thoughts

50:32 - Starting a practice of quiet & finding joy in God

Sign up for The After Party course

Mentioned in This Episode:

• John Mark Comer's Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise
• More about Martin Laird
• More about Dallas Willard & spiritual disciplines
• Richard Foster's list of spiritual disciplines
• Adele Ahlberg Calhoun's Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
• BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything
• Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited
• Howard Thurman's Meditations of the Heart

Scriptures:

• Luke 5:15–16 (ESV)
• Psalm 46 (ESV)
• Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 4:1–13 (ESV)
• Jude 9 (ESV)
• Colossians 1:27 (ESV)
• 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV)

More From John Mark Comer:

• Explore John Mark's website
• Listen to John Mark's podcast
• Find John Mark on Instagram
• Watch John Mark on YouTube

Follow Us:

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Can the Next Generation Do Politics Better Than We Have?

Being angry on the internet isn't activism. So what actually makes a difference? Sharon McMahon, "America's government teacher" and author of The Small and the Mighty and host of the Preamble podcast, joins Curtis Chang to explore how we can help the next generation do politics better and build a healthier democracy in the process. They discuss raising engaged citizens, choosing character over party loyalty, and loving our neighbors—even when they're our enemies. With the midterms approaching, Sharon offers a practical path from political frustration to local civic engagement, reminding us that hope begins with believing our actions matter.

00:54 - Welcome and Why Civic Formation Matters

05:53 - Norm Mineta and Modeling Public Service

09:27 - Teaching Young People to Vote Thoughtfully

14:21 - Can Civic Engagement Form Character? 18:04 - Choosing a Community Focus

23:55 - Loving Enemies Without Accepting Harm

34:04 - Helping College Students Speak Up

38:30 - Civic Education During a Constitutional Crisis

41:26 - Is Hope an Active Choice?

43:55 - Helping One Person at a Time

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• Sharon McMahon's The Small and the Mighty
• Sharon McMahon's We Are Mighty
• More about Norman Mineta
• Executive Order 9066: Resulting in Japanese-American Incarceration (1942)
• Read the Constitution and the Preamble (transcript)

Scriptures:

• Matthew 22:34-40 and Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV)
• Matthew 6:10 (ESV)

More From Sharon McMahon:

• Sharon McMahon's website
• Sharon McMahon's The Preamble podcast
• Sharon McMahon's The Preamble Newsletter

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

What Happens When Power, Politics, and Judges Collide? (Spoiler: It's Complicated)

Host Curtis Chang and New York Times columnist David French ask how much Americans can rely on the Supreme Court if the 2026 midterms are contested. They discuss the constitutional limit on presidential terms and why a disputed House race could expose the limits of judicial power. French explains why he remains hopeful about the highest court in the land despite political pressure, and shares his concerns about the conservative Christian legal movement. They also ask Christians: How can you love your neighbors when a court ruling causes harm?

03:19 - The Most Relevant Supreme Court Ruling of 2026

10:26 - Risks of the Upcoming Midterm Elections

13:16 - The Threat of Exploiting Legal Confusion

20:10 - Internal Relationships Within the Supreme Court

27:12 - The Influence of Personal Experience on Court Decisions

31:45 - The Conservative Christian Legal Movement's Influence

38:31 - Practicing the Second Greatest Commandment

46:10 - How to Pray for the Supreme Court

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• David French's article The Fix Was Almost In
• Listen to the Supreme Court: argument audio
• The Supreme Court's tariff ruling
• The Constitution's Twenty-Second Amendment
• More about: Missouri Supreme Court and congressional maps
• Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics: The Dobbs Leak as an Illustration of the Impasse Between Legal Ethics and Reality
• Washington Post: Why a lawyer who launched the Christian legal movement believes it's gone astray
• Read about Toyosaburo Korematsu v. United States

Scriptures:

• Mark 12:31 (ESV)

More From David French:

• David French's New York Times pieces HERE
• David French's Advisory Opinions podcast
• Follow David French on Threads

Follow Us:

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Your "Safe" College Major May Be an AI Dead End

Could AI make your college degree obsolete while making your plumber more valuable? Curtis Chang and Andy Crouch explore how artificial intelligence is disrupting higher education and the future of work—and why skilled trades and embodied human abilities may be safer bets. They also examine the rise of AI therapy and explain why chatbots can offer useful advice but can never replace human connection, spiritual community, and forgiveness.

02:36 - Declaring Personal Educational Backgrounds

13:26 - The Risk of "Cutting Edge" Education

15:37 - Computer Science: A Good Bet Turned Bad?

19:49 - Advice for Today's College Students

27:11 - The Role of a Teacher in the AI Age

30:54 - What About First-Generation American Students

35:27 - The Value of Skilled Trades

38:08 - The Intellectual Life of the Working Class

42:38 - The Real-World Value of Skilled Professionals

44:26 - What About AI as a Mental Health Tool?

47:35 - The Limits of AI in Providing Human Connection

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• Notre Dame's DELTA: Human Formation in the Age of AI
• Jean Lee Latham's Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
• Jonathan Rose's The Intellectual Life of the British Working Classes
• Matthew Loftus' Resisting Therapy Culture
• Good Faith episode 245: When Mental Health Goes Too Far with Matthew Loftus
• RAND study: Use of Generative AI for Mental Health Advice Among US Adolescents and Young Adults
• Ronald Heifetz's adaptive-leadership framework

More From Andy Crouch:

• Check out Andy's website
• Check out Andy's work at Praxis
• Read Andy's book: The Life We're Looking For
• Read Andy's book The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

What America Learned, Feared, and Forgot After 9/11

Former Trump White House security expert Elizabeth Neumann and theologian Russell Moore join Curtis Chang to consider whether America is safer—or simply more afraid—25 years after 9/11. They examine the war with Iran, immigration enforcement, domestic extremism, government overreach, and the church's complicity in fear-driven efforts. Together, they ask how Christians can confront legitimate threats without surrendering to fear, offering civic engagement, moral courage, and faithful "small refusals" to conform as a way forward.

03:14 - A 25-Year Review of Homeland Security

06:22 - A Theological View on "Homeland Security"

09:55 - How Do We Evaluate the War with Iran?

19:34 - Should Christians Trust the State?

24:01 - The Public's Disengagement from Government

28:54 - The Church's Role in Local Justice

33:59 - The Rise of Domestic Terrorism

40:52 - Is the Church Complicit in Fear Mongering?

42:29- Russell's Counsel for Pastors: Small Refusals

44:39 - The Personal Cost of Opposing Government Overreach

48:22 - When Lament and Hope Are the Same Thing

Apply to be Good Faith's next Director of Marketing

Register for Calvin University's Wisdom in the Age of AI Conference 2026

Sign up for The After Party course

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Elizabeth Neumann's Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace
• National September 11 Memorial & Museum: Marking the 25th Anniversary
• George W. Bush White House's the Department of Homeland Security executive Summary
• More about National Immigration Forum
• Wendell Berry's "A Statement Against the War in Vietnam" from The Long-Legged House

Scriptures:

• Hebrews 11:13–16 ESV
• Jeremiah 29:7 ESV
• 1 Samuel 8 ESV
• Romans 12–13 ESV
• Isaiah 8:11–13 ESV
• Romans 8:24–27 ESV

More From Elizabeth Neumann:

• Elizabeth Neumann's website

More From Russell Moore:

• Russell Moore's Substack
• Read Russell Moore's article The Trump-Era Laughter at Immigrant Suffering Is Deforming Our Souls
• Sign up for Russell Moore's weekly newsletter Moore to the Point

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Miracles, Heartbreak, and the Fight Against Human Trafficking

Nearly 50 million people remain trapped in modern slavery—but International Justice Mission founder Gary Haugen believes it could end in our lifetime. He joins host Curtis Chang to explore how IJM fights human trafficking by transforming broken justice systems, where God is amid horrific evil and patient prayer, and how Christians can stop watching from the sidelines and join the fight.

02:23 - The Evolution of IJM's Strategy of Strengthening Local Justice Systems

08:30 - US Complicity in Global Slavery

13:48 - The Impact of Unpredictable US Government Action

18:24 - Is Their a Contradiction in Evangelical Support?

24:23 - The Role of Miracles in Fighting Evil

28:56 - Waiting For Prayers to Be Answered

33:51 - The Dangers of Christian Hero Worship

45:26 - A Call to Action Against Modern Day Slavery

To give to Good Faith: https://goodfaith.org/donate

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Gary Haugen's biography
• IJM's work fighting trafficking and slavery
• IJM's response to the State Department funding pause
• U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report
• Global Estimates of Modern Slavery
• Child trafficking and forced labor on Ghana's Lake Volta
• Good Faith episode 224: Francis Collins and Kristine Torjesen

Scriptures:

• Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
• Matthew 25:14–30 (ESV)

International Justice Mission:

• Get involved with IJM
• Pray with IJM
• Support IJM's advocacy work
• IJM resources for churches

Follow Us:

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.